The Chargers outside linebacker took his turn in a hitting drill during a morning individual period. Inside linebacker Manti Te'o held a bag and hopped in the air to allow Ingram to explode through it. In came Ingram, full speed, sending Te'o sailing backward to the ground.

"He was excited," Te'o said with a laugh. "He was like, 'Sorry, bro, and picked me up.' I was like, 'Hey, it's part of football.'"

"I didn't mean to do that," Ingram said. "Just being anxious to be back out there and do something you love to do."

The excitement was understandable. Ingram practiced Wednesday for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on the same field this spring, working in a limited fashion. On Thursday, the 2012 first-round pick will be a full six months removed from May 21 reconstructive surgery to his left knee.

His practice return was a long time coming.

His first game back will be longer.

A TV reporter asked Ingram in a press conference if he believes he could face the Chiefs on Sunday. Ingram, praised by Chargers staff members and teammates for his attitude since the injury, gave a response consistent with that optimism, saying he feels he could but will leave that call to his coaches and athletic trainers.

But no, Ingram won't play Sunday.

The Chargers will continue to ease him along before making that decision. They have until Dec. 10 when they are required to either activate him onto the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve. San Diego faces the Broncos on Dec. 12.

Ingram said he feels "great" physically.

"He did a nice job," coach Mike McCoy said. "He’s a little rusty in certain areas, which is expected, but it’s great to have him back out there. He’s been chomping at the bit for a long time to get out there.”

Of all the teammates happy for Ingram, Philip Rivers could appreciate the linebacker's recovery about as well as anyone.

The quarterback tore his ACL in 2008.

"He was obviously smiling a lot out there today," Rivers said. "It was good to have him back. He's put in a lot of work. I know we play different positions and I know it's different to come back and play linebacker than it is to come back and play quarterback, but (I can) relate to the grind that rehab is. Surgery is easy and all that. It’s the work you have to put in to get himself back out there like he has.

"I know he was excited. It'll be interesting to see how it goes from here. It would be great to get him back. That could certainly give us a spark with the type of playmaker he is.”